I had a surgical debridement on a space a little larger than the palm of my hand, done on my left hip 2 weeks ago. What is the next step in healing?

I was told I had cellulitis that had gotten extremely infected, or that it was a pressure ulcer. I was sent to a surgeon for debridement. My surgeon scheduled me for surgical debridement the next day. It has been 2 weeks and it still looks the same as the day after surgery. I was instructed to change the bandage twice a day and let the water from shower wash the wound out once a day. This wound is about the size of my hand. Will I need a skin graft to close this wound? I am a 45-year-old female.

Answers from doctors (1)

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Vascular Institute of Chattanooga

Published on Jul 24, 2020

Skin grafting can speed up the process for wound healing; however, skin grafting would mean another surgery. Also, if your own skin is used for the graft, it also means another partial thickness wound on another part of your body. Your wound will also heal by "secondary intention" as long as you are otherwise healthy. Secondary healing means the wound will heal "from the bottom-up." I recommend that you speak to your surgeon about your options.

Answered by Vascular Institute of Chattanooga

Skin grafting can speed up the process for wound healing; however, skin grafting would mean another surgery. Also, if your own skin is used for the graft, it also means another partial thickness wound on another part of your body. Your wound will also heal by "secondary intention" as long as you are otherwise healthy. Secondary healing means the wound will heal "from the bottom-up." I recommend that you speak to your surgeon about your options.

Published on Jul 11, 2012